Chapter 107: Strange Turn of Events

"Well then, there’s also something I want to try."

The smile of Regis’s face widened as he placed the sword in front of him.

It wasn’t anything special, just the standard stance that every swordsman learned at the beginning of their path.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and sensed the deepest crevices of his body.

His rhythmic breath seemed to slowly resonate with the aura on his body as he slowly criculated it.

Since the time that he was recovering, Regis had not tried using his aura.

In fact, he didn’t use any energy at all.

This was because he was afraid that there would be prying eyes inside the church where they were recovering.

So now would be the first time that he would use aura since the fight with Count Orpheus.

’Let’s see...’

His mind instantly reached a meditative state thanks to his gift of Tranquility.

The last thing that Regis remembered was him instantly reaching great speeds, but due to him being in a half-conscious state, he could only vaguely remember the sensation.

"Huhp...!"

It didn’t take long before he breathed deeply and fully circulated the aura within his body.

Wung—!!!

A glowing star appeared on his chest as he felt an ethereal power weeling up within him.

"What’s this...?"

Regis muttered, unable to contain his excitement.

"Are you done? I might die of old age if I wait any longer than this." Killian commented with a smirk on his face.

Hearing his words, Regis raised his brows, "Oh, would you look at that? It seems like we have something in common."

"Since you’re so excited to lose, then I will grant your wish!"

Zoom—

Regis’s figure blurred as he instantly arrived in front of Killian, making the latter’s eyes widen in shock as he hurriedly blocked with his sword.

CLANK!!!

’Impossible! I’m already augmented with the speed of lightning, yet I still couldn’t follow his movement...!’

Killian was fully aware that the way Regis used his aura was still crude.

This meant that if he used an aura art, then he would have been even faster and more lethal.

Nevertheless, he didn’t show his feelings on the outside and only gave a smile, "Is your strength really like this? It’s tickling me~"

"Really? Then let me tickle you even more!"

Regis chuckled as he proceeded to slash his sword at a rapidly increasing speed.

Two strikes in one second...

Three strikes in one second...

Four strikes in one second...

...

"Tsk."

Killian unconsciously clicked his tongue as sweat trickled on his temple.

His focus reached its peak, yet it still was not enough. He was still being pushed back by Regis’s relentless strikes.

Furthermore, he could feel that he was starting to find it difficult to keep up.

’Shit! I won’t last another half a minute if things go on like this!’ Killian thought as he gritted his teeth, feeling the power of his opponent’s sword.

Although this seemed to be a friendly spar due to its suddenness, Regis and Killian were both aware of one thing: That whoever won this battle would be the one with authority over the loser’s life.

Therefore, a determined light flashed in Killian’s eyes as he chanted: [Lightning Rush]

BZZZZZ—

His speed suddenly shut up as the tides of the battle began to turn in his favor.

The difference between passively applying aura and using it through the form of an aura art could only be said to be like that of heaven and earth.

CLANK! CLANK! CLANK!

"Is this the power of a top grade aura art?"

Regis felt a little jealous of the aura arts at Killian’s disposal.

After all, he had also seen the latter using an aura art that had enough power to render a high rank mage’s magic spell to nothing.

’It seems like I also need to take this seriously...’

At this moment, the look in Regis’s eyes became serious as he once again made use of his gift of Perfect Adaptation.

Although this seemed like a small change, Killian’s eyes widened slightly as he felt the subtle change in the atmosphere.

’There it is again...!’ The feeling of helplessness that wreaked havoc in his heart.

The feeling that no matter what he did, Regis would be able to counter it all.

’I can’t lose like this...!’

Killian felt the unwillingness that stemmed from the bottom of his heart.

It was not that he hated Regis, nor was it that he didn’t want to acknowledge him as the leader of their party.

It was just his pride as a swordsman, as the genius of House Gladius.

’If I’m going to acknowledge him as my superior in my time in this world, then I better give it my all. After all, I can’t just submit to someone!’

At this moment, Killian made up his mind.

CLANK— CLANK— CLANK—

Sparks continued to fly as their swords continuously clashed with each other.

Upon looking closer, it could be seen that their swords were already worn down due to the intensity of their spar.

"Let’s finish this...!"

Regis shouted with a smile as he felt victory in his grasp.

However, just as he was about to deal the final blow that would break his opponent’s sword, he felt chills run down his spine.

[Lightning God’s Descent]

BZZZZZZZTTTTTTTT—!!!!!

Killian, who had just been in his sight, instantly disappeared along with a flash of lightning.

"You crazy...!!!"

"I need to give it my all."

Regis heard a voice behind him along with something cutting through the wind.

’I win!’

Killian thought with utmost confidence as his sword approached his opponent’s neck.

However, it was then that he noticed something: The smile that never left Regis’s lips.

"It’s just a pity that... It’s already my second time seeing that aura art of yours."

"Wha—"

CLANG— SHATTER!!!!!

Killian had disbelief on his face as the shards of his broken swords flew in the air.

His eyes stared fixedly at Regis’s sword that he swung behind him without even looking back.

"How..."

He couldn’t believe it. Killian made sure to use his aura art at the most unexpected moment possible.

In order to prevent himself from suffering injuries, he only used the aura art in an instant– no more than a tenth of a second.

He used it just as he was about to swing his sword in order to catch his opponent off guard.

Even then, it was all useless.

"You’re strong." Regis spoke with a smile as he tapped Killian’s shoulder.

However, the latter remained frozen.

After a few seconds passed, Regis felt a little awkward, "Ummm, hello? Are you still there?"

Thud—

It was then that Killian suddenly knelt on one knee with his head lowered towards him.

"I– Killian from the House of Gladius– am swearing that I will serve Regis as my lord for as long as I live."

"What?"

Regis didn’t even have the time to react to Killian’s sudden actions.

"Hey, what are you doing? Stand up. It’s just a friendly spa–"

"No."

Killian shook his head towards Regis who was trying to help him stand back up.

"It’s not just a spar. It’s something that I have decided on since the time I accepted your proposition of creating an adventurer party."

"Why? You didn’t have to do all this..." Regis still felt confused at the sudden turn of events.

However, Killian kept speaking, "I’m all alone now. The people I spent my whole life with, my brothers, my sisters, my maids, my butlers, my parents– all gone."

"I was originally planning to go back to their side after I did my best in enacting my revenge towards Count Orpheus."

"But I decided to give life a chance and follow you. So you must take responsibility..."

"That doesn’t sound right..."

"I don’t swing that way, don’t worry."

As Regis made his attempt at dissolving the seriousness of the situation, Killian only rebutted without even as much as a pause.

"Ugh, fine. I accept whatever the hell it is you’re telling me."

"Thank you."

Not minding his lack of manners, Killian bowed deeply.

"A-Anyways, since I’m your boss now, it means that this mansion is mine, right?"

"You’re quite shameless, you know that?"

"But am I wrong?"

"No, but you’re still shameless."

The two of them joked as if they weren’t on the verge of killing each other earlier.